Mikey Craig

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Mikey Craig (born Michael Emile Craig, 15 February 1960, in Hammersmith, London) was a former DJ who became the bassist with Culture Club, one of the most popular bands of the 1980s. He is of Jamaican ancestry.

[edit] Career

Craig is from a large family, with four brothers and two sisters. Craig excelled in sports, particularly football. His experience with music began in his teens, watching his brothers play in such bands as "Funkapolitian." His musical influences, Craig cited, were The Monkees and Parliament.^{[citation needed]}

Culture Club split up in 1986 due to the band's declining chart success, Boy George's drug habit and tensions between George and drummer Jon Moss who were romantically involved. However, he rejoined the other three members when they made a successful comeback album in 1998.

In 1988, he released a single "I'm A Believer". Following the single's flop, the ready and complete album was shelved by Virgin Records. He worked on that album with his brother Greg.

In June 2006, Craig was rumoured to be taking part in a reformation of Culture Club, with another vocalist after Boy George declined to take part. The project was shelved after one showcase and one show. Now, Craig is a guest bassist in a Culture Club tribute band called Culture Dub.

[edit] Personal life

When he was seventeen, Craig had a son (Keita), born in 1977 and a daughter (Amber), born 18 months later with Cleo Scott (daughter of the author and political campaigner Erin Pizzey).

Keita from East Sheen, Surrey, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and used his shoelaces to hang himself in Wandsworth Prison on February 1, 2000 at the age of 22, after being remanded in custody on robbery charges at Richmond Magistrates' Court. The Prison Service later paid £20,000 compensation and apologised to the family, after an inquest found that their neglect had led to his death.

Craig and Scott broke up when Culture Club first got started in 1982. Craig is now married with three sons.

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